Hybrid reflector with radiating subreflector

Abstract

An antenna system comprises a first reflector and a second reflector including one or more radiating elements disposed on a side of the second reflector facing the first reflector. The one or more radiating elements are configured to illuminate the first reflector. The antenna system further comprises a dual reflector feed configured to illuminate the second reflector. The antenna system may further include a beamforming network configured to feed the radiating elements, and to provide amplitude weighting and/or phase control to the antenna system.

1. An antenna system comprising:
 a first reflector comprising a first surface and a second surface; 
 a second reflector comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the second reflector faces the second surface of the first reflector, wherein the first surface of the second reflector comprises one or more radiating elements, wherein the one or more radiating elements are configured to illuminate the second surface of the first reflector; and 
 a dual reflector feed structurally arranged to only face the first surface of the second reflector and configured to illuminate the first surface of the second reflector. 
 
     
     
       2. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more radiating elements comprise one or more slot antenna elements, patch antenna elements, or dipole antenna elements. 
     
     
       3. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more radiating elements comprise one or more passive elements. 
     
     
       4. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more radiating elements comprise one or more active elements. 
     
     
       5. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more radiating elements include a plurality of radiating elements with a co-located center. 
     
     
       6. The antenna system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of radiating elements with the co-located center includes radiating elements with different operating frequencies. 
     
     
       7. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the second reflector is disposed co-axially with the first reflector in a center-feed arrangement. 
     
     
       8. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the second reflector is disposed off-center from the first reflector in an offset-feed arrangement. 
     
     
       9. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more radiating elements include orthogonally oriented radiating elements configured to provide dual polarization operation of the antenna system. 
     
     
       10. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more radiating elements are located off-center from the first reflector to provide beam scanning capability to the antenna system. 
     
     
       11. The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein the dual reflector feed is further configured to illuminate the first reflector by reflecting a signal off of the second reflector. 
     
     
       12. An antenna system comprising:
 a first reflector comprising a first surface and a second surface; 
 a second reflector comprising a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the second reflector faces the second surface of the first reflector, wherein the first surface of the second reflector comprises including a plurality of radiating elements, wherein the plurality of radiating elements are configured to illuminate the second surface of the first reflector; 
 a dual reflector feed structurally arranged to only face the first surface of the second reflector and configured to illuminate the second surface of the first reflector and the first surface of the second reflector; and 
 a beamforming network configured to feed the plurality of radiating elements. 
 
     
     
       13. The antenna system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of radiating elements comprises one or more slot antenna elements, patch antenna elements, or dipole antenna elements. 
     
     
       14. The antenna system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of radiating elements includes at least one plurality of radiating elements with a co-located center. 
     
     
       15. The antenna system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of radiating elements with the co-located center includes radiating elements with different operating frequencies. 
     
     
       16. The antenna system of  claim 12 , wherein the second reflector is disposed co-axially with the first reflector in a center-feed arrangement. 
     
     
       17. The antenna system of  claim 12 , wherein the second reflector is disposed off-center from the first reflector in an offset-feed arrangement. 
     
     
       18. The antenna system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of radiating elements includes orthogonally oriented radiating elements configured to provide dual polarization operation of the antenna system. 
     
     
       19. The antenna system of  claim 12 , wherein the beamforming network is configured to provide amplitude weighting to the plurality of radiating elements to provide beam scan and/or sidelobe level control to the antenna system. 
     
     
       20. The antenna system of  claim 12 , wherein the beamforming network is configured to provide phase control to the plurality of radiating elements to provide beam shaping control to the antenna system.